Duterte takes up discrimination

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is set to file an anti-discrimination ordinance that prohibits employers and schools from practicing intolerance in hiring workers and accepting students just because of race, color or religion.

The measure, once it is approved, will also prohibit the media from classifying religion of a crime suspect in reporting the news.

Duterte said the anti-discrimination measure is a law on people's right to be treated equally, and that people should be dealt with regardless of race, nationality, age and sexuality.

Duterte, in his regular local television program aired Sunday morning, said he will deliver a privilege speech in the City Council to emphasize the importance of the ordinance.

"I'm in the process of crafting an ordinance. We have to raise the level of quality of life," he said, adding he had initially discussed the proposal to the councilors.

The vice mayor said many businessmen in the city who practice intolerance in hiring workers will be hit by his measure, including some close friends whom he did not identify.

As to the media, Duterte said he often hears them referring to a crime suspect as "Muslim" which, he said, is discriminatory.

Some schools, according to Duterte, also have the tendency to refuse students if he or she is a Muslim.

"You should not do that," he said.

Duterte said the measure is patterned after the anti-discrimination laws in other countries like the US and France.

"I've always been for the human dignity," said Duterte, who plans to pass the ordinance in January. (Charles Raymond A. Maxey)